The Ministry of Agriculture has solicited support from the University of Arizona and has bought an excavator to further develop aquaculture.

In a press release the ministry said the Fisheries Department is partnering with the university on a collaborative Research Special Project for technical assistance and with commercial feed mills and fish farmers to reduce the cost of feed. Currently trials are being conducted with local feed ingredients minimising the use of fish meal and replacing it with shrimp and poultry meal which increases the efficiency of the feed.

The department is also continuing to promote aquaculture as a lucrative business and farmers have been able to access training, technical assistance and fingerlings. As part of Minister Robert Persaud’s efforts to boost the sector, a Certificate in Fisheries course was introduced at the Guyana School of Agriculture to ensure adequately trained personnel are available to move the industry forward.

From April to June this year 42 persons have acquired certificates in Aquaculture Practices from the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station. Renovations are also ongoing at the station and work will be done on the Maharaja Oil Mill where the ministry plans to develop a commercial-size hatchery that is expected to produce about 60 million fingerlings per annum.

The industry was also given a further boost when the ministry acquired a $37 million excavator to support farmers interested in pursuing aquaculture ventures. The excavator will be used to dig ponds for aquaculture.